I just got a reminder in my inbox this morning that ATB registrations are opening up today (for Bicycle Network Victoria members), so I thought that I might open up a new thread (following on from last year) for questions / discussions / etc.

I'm curious if anyone is interested in being part of a BNA team for this year?

The website says that you don't have to complete the same course/distance to be part of a team, but I'd still like to see if we can get a small team together to complete one of the courses as a group. FWIW I've got my eye on one of the 210K courses at the moment.

Hi Dave,have just joined up on the 210 Queenscliff (ferry) option tonight. have a small group of family and friends making up a team. expect our average speed to be 20-25kmh, if you don't get any takers you are welcome to join us (although I think you are a bit quicker than we are). Great idea to have a new thread!

I'd love to join you! My current place of work is not funding entries this year (unlike 2011) so I have to pay my own way. Only 1 caveat - if I can persuade my 11yr old to do the 100, I will ride with him,Andrew

the M-Q-S-M seems to sell out quicker, maybe it's to get the Westgate bridge out of the way early. I dunno, but last year when i had a crack at it we got a killer head wind all the way down to Geelong from Werribee, and the people that went the other way were flying up the highway with the tail wind. I noticed after my ride up and down the highway today that there is a Strava segment there that is dominated by people that got a tail wind and had already done close to 150km at that point. 37 people average over 40kph for that 7.3km segment. http://app.strava.com/rides/6937622#130024512

Hey Woodsy, I was one of the guys who went the other way last year and we certainly had a nice headwind from Sandringham to Sorrento. Then a crosswind from Queenscliff to Geelong. So we earned that tailwind. And what a tailwind! Me and another mate were holding 45-50km/h all the way to Werribee.

I would suggest M-Q-S-M is probably the best option as you get the boring featureless part out of the way first (generally in a group too so you partially negate headwinds) and there's more 'drop out points' on the Mornington Peninsula/Beach Rd section. That's probably why it sells out first.

I'm coming over from Perth for this, signed up for the M-P-Q-S-M (250km!) and would love company

A friend who has done the 210 twice agrees with the previous poster - the Princes Hwy can be quite boring after 150km, as opposed to Morninton Peninsula/Beach Rd.

Anyway, Easter Monday I rode solo from Ellenbrook - Mandurah (107km) averaging a touch over 30km/h. Now I may have had a favourable light tailwind and the course is fairly flat, but I think I could hold 25-29km/h over the Around the Bay distance.

Bit annoying, had a friend with a BV membership purchase a ticket on my behalf, transaction went thru all sweet. Now today I get an email saying that because I'm not a BV member they are cancelling my ticket. Bit frustrating given there is no indication that you can't buy tickets for non-BV members.

I'll have to try my luck for the 210km M-Q-S-M option in the public sale on Monday.

rusteh wrote:Bit annoying, had a friend with a BV membership purchase a ticket on my behalf, transaction went thru all sweet. Now today I get an email saying that because I'm not a BV member they are cancelling my ticket. Bit frustrating given there is no indication that you can't buy tickets for non-BV members.

I'll have to try my luck for the 210km M-Q-S-M option in the public sale on Monday.

i had the same problem last year, there was 3 of us, and one set up a team because he is a BV member and us other 2 joined up and at no point did it say we couldn't until a day or two later we got an email saying it had been declined. After some correspondence we managed to get accepted due to us being in a team. I had hoped they might have sorted that out this year.

rusteh wrote:Bit annoying, had a friend with a BV membership purchase a ticket on my behalf, transaction went thru all sweet. Now today I get an email saying that because I'm not a BV member they are cancelling my ticket. Bit frustrating given there is no indication that you can't buy tickets for non-BV members.

I'll have to try my luck for the 210km M-Q-S-M option in the public sale on Monday.

i had the same problem last year, there was 3 of us, and one set up a team because he is a BV member and us other 2 joined up and at no point did it say we couldn't until a day or two later we got an email saying it had been declined. After some correspondence we managed to get accepted due to us being in a team. I had hoped they might have sorted that out this year.

Entering a team this year for the first time. I have a friend in QLD who came down last year to join us on the ride but couldn't get the same ride as us (MQSM) so did MSM and rode with us after a long wait at Sorrento (yes head wind to Geelong was every bit as bad as described 40kmh). This year tried to arrange access to the BV early bird entry as he is BQld member but BV dont have reciprocal rights and no concession for teams-no discussion. A bit poor BV so hope he gets through the crowd on monday.

After doing the 100 last year, I've signed up for the 210 this year. Have heard all kinds of war stories about attempts in years gone by to get on the ferry. Will bring some popcorn just in case they happen again!

well the M-Q-S-M 210km is sold out so I signed up for the M-Q-S-M 250km.

I averaged 24km on the otways ride so I should be able to average close to 30km on this ride considering how flat it is compared to the Otways ride so I will be happy with a ride time of 10hr, I imagine that would mean a 12hr to 13hr elapsed time.

blatant wrote:I'm thinking of entering the 250, the map is rubbish, anyone got a better one?also, how is the event organized? IE do I have to find my own directions or are there signs/road closures etc?

Over 10,00 people each year for nearly 20 years have managed to find their way around

blatant wrote:I'm thinking of entering the 250, the map is rubbish, anyone got a better one?also, how is the event organized? IE do I have to find my own directions or are there signs/road closures etc?

250km route is pretty simple, keep the bay to your left and you should be fine

KenGS wrote:Over 10,00 people each year for nearly 20 years have managed to find their way around

Maybe so. All I'm saying is a zoom-able map would be nice. Plenty of marathon websites can add a high res image+zoom function.I'm not saying I can't navigate without ease, I'm just asking what to expect. Do I expect to see signage/marshals or is it a navigate yourself scenario? Just asking what to expect on the day mate.

I did the 210km last year and there were signs at all turns and marshals at major intersections and at most city intersections.

There were no closed roads, but lots of people heading in the same direction.

I didn't take a map, and would not have used it if I had one, not necessary on the ride I think.Study the map before you go and if you can ride sections of the course as part of your training and you will be right.

Just did my first commute this morning 20km , so will be round tripping 40km a day. If i add maybe some slightly longer rides on the weekend would I be able to have a crack at 210/250 but october?? Also if I do say 100km ride maybe every second weeked would that suffice or would i need to do the full 200 ish to prepare?